Episode 197: The G2 on 5G - Key Highlights

Welcome and Introduction

- Will Townsend welcomes listeners to episode 197 of the G2 on 5G podcast.

- Introduction of fellow analyst Anshel Sag.

Nokia's Acquisition of Infinera

- Will discusses Nokia's recent announcement to acquire Infinera for over $2 billion.

- The acquisition aims to strengthen Nokia's optical networking and component business.

- Potential benefits include increased access to the North American market and entry into data centers.

- Anshel questions whether the sale of Nokia's submarine cable business to the French government was required for the acquisition.

Generative AI and Data Centers

- Will highlights the relevance of the acquisition to generative AI and data centers.

- Anshel notes the stability and long-term benefits of Nokia's wireline businesses.

3GPP Release 18 and 5G Advanced

- Anshel discusses the finalization of 3GPP Release 18 standards, marking the 5G Advanced era.

- Release 18 includes enhancements for IoT, XR, AI, and ML applications.

- The importance of standalone deployment for utilizing Release 18 features.

AT&T's 5G RedCap Launch

- Will talks about AT&T's soft launch of 5G RedCap in the Dallas metropolitan area.

- The significance of RedCap for IoT applications and AT&T's vertical market focus.

- Anshel discusses the potential consumer and enterprise applications of RedCap.

India's 5G Spectrum Auction

- Will covers the recent 5G spectrum auction in India, which netted only $1.3 billion compared to $18 billion in 2022.

- Speculation on the reasons behind the lackluster auction, including slow monetization and deployment of previously acquired spectrum.

- Discussion on the potential benefits of democratizing access to licensed spectrum for private networking.

FCC's Proposed Rule on Unlocking Phones

- Anshel explains the FCC's proposed rule to require mobile providers to unlock phones within 60 days of activation.

- Concerns about the financial risk to carriers and the practicality of unlocking postpaid devices.

- Suggestion to mandate unlocking for prepaid phones and maintaining current rules for postpaid devices.

Verizon's Concerns Over 4.9 GHz Spectrum for FirstNet

- Anshel discusses Verizon's opposition to the FCC potentially giving 4.9 GHz spectrum to AT&T for FirstNet.

- Analysis of the spectrum's value and its suitability for small cell deployments.

- The potential impact on Verizon's competitiveness and the overall 5G landscape.

Closing Remarks

- Will and Anshel share their upcoming travel plans and wish listeners a happy 4th of July.

- Encouragement for listeners to rate, subscribe, and provide feedback on future 5G topics.

Contact Information

- Will Townsend: @WillTownTech

- Anshel Sag: @AnshelSag

Next Episode

- The podcast will take a break for the 4th of July and return the following week.

Show Notes for Episode 196 of The G2 on 5G

Welcome and Introduction

- Hosts Will Townsend and Anshel Sag kick off the episode.

- Anshel shares his recent experience at a Padres game and the Augmented World Expo conference.

Microsoft's Shift in Telecom Strategy

- Will discusses Microsoft's decision to exit the 5G application space on Azure for operators.

- The focus shifts to infrastructure, similar to AWS's approach.

- Analysis of the impact on AT&T and the broader telecom ecosystem.

Orange's 5G Network for the Olympics

- Anshel highlights Orange's deployment of a private 5G network for the upcoming Olympics in France.

- Samsung's involvement with 200 Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones for unique athlete perspectives.

- The network will cover 120 venues, including athlete training grounds.

Global Telco AI Alliance Formation

- Will introduces the new alliance between Singtel, Deutsche Telekom, SK Telecom, and SoftBank.

- The alliance aims to develop generative AI applications tailored for mobile operators.

- Focus on multilingual large language models and potential security challenges.

T-Mobile's Enterprise Expansion

- Anshel discusses T-Mobile's recent wins, including the Spiral Four contract for the Department of Defense.

- T-Mobile's involvement in Sail GP in New York and the Women's PGA Championship.

- The company's growing presence in enterprise and sports venue support.

Telia's 5G-Enabled Remote Forestry Control

- Will shares an innovative use case from Telia in Sweden.

- Drones and portable mobile base stations enable remote control of forestry machinery.

- Highlights the importance of 5G's ultra-low latency for safe and efficient operations.

Samsung and MediaTek's RedCap Testing

- Anshel covers the collaboration between Samsung and MediaTek on RedCap testing over Vran.

- Focus on power-saving features and the path to commercial viability by the second half of 2024.

- Potential applications in IoT and beyond.

Augmented World Expo Insights

- Anshel provides a brief overview of his experience at the Augmented World Expo.

- Highlights include Haptex's robotic gloves and Siteful's 5G-connected AR PC.

Closing Remarks

- Will and Anshel wrap up the episode, encouraging listeners to provide feedback and subscribe.

- Both hosts express excitement for future 5G developments and applications.

Contact Information

- Will Townsend: @WilltonTech

- Anshel Sag: @anshelsag

Call to Action

- Don't forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast for more insights on the latest in 5G technology.

In episode 195 of The G2 on 5G, hosts Will Townsend and Anshel Sag delve into six key topics shaping the 5G landscape:

1. AST SpaceMobile and Verizon Collaboration: Highlighting the extensive coverage and potential future partnerships, validating AST SpaceMobile's efforts.

2. Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference: Discussing updates on RCS, satellite messaging, iPhone mirroring, and Apple's new AI branding, Apple Intelligence.

3. T-Mobile's Acquisition of US Cellular's Assets: Debating the potential regulatory scrutiny and the implications for rural connectivity.

4. Nvidia's Involvement in 5G: Examining Nvidia's testing of Open RAN in private 5G networks, showcasing their ambition to influence the telecom sector.

5. China's 5G Deployment Claims: Questioning the reported $800 billion economic impact and the feasibility of their adoption rates.

6. Link5G's Tower Infrastructure in New York City: Addressing the controversy surrounding the aesthetic concerns and the necessity of such infrastructure for improved connectivity.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on these pivotal 5G topics, offering expert perspectives and in-depth analysis.

Show Notes for Episode 194 of G2 on 5G

Welcome and Introduction

- Hosts Will Townsend and Anshel Sag welcome listeners to episode 194 of GT on 5G.

- Brief discussion about their recent attendance at Dell Tech World and Microsoft Build.

Ericsson's Investment in 5G Factory

- Will discusses Ericsson's additional $50 million investment in its open RAN-ready 5G factory in Lewisville, Dallas.

- Highlights the factory's role in manufacturing MIMO antenna infrastructure and the use of private cellular networking.

- Efficiency improvements: 25% reduction in energy consumption and 75% reduction in water usage.

- Benefits of domestic production and open RAN capabilities.

- Collaboration with AT&T and the advantages of an open network for programmability and agility.

T-Mobile's Price Increase

- Anshel talks about T-Mobile's recent price increase for customers on older plans.

- Context provided on the competitive landscape with AT&T and Verizon also raising prices.

- Discussion on T-Mobile's value proposition and network reliability.

- Insights on T-Mobile's strategic shift from being a value player to offering a robust 5G network.

Deutsche Telekom's Private 5G Network

- Will covers Deutsche Telekom's deployment of a private 5G campus network for a large paper mill in Germany.

- The network spans the equivalent of 50 football fields and aims to optimize logistics and production processes.

- Potential efficiency gains in water usage for the paper mill.

- Comparison with Ericsson's 5G factory and the broader implications for manufacturing automation.

5G Drones for Search and Rescue in Scotland

- Anshel discusses the innovative use of 5G-enabled drones for search and rescue operations in Scotland.

- Drones equipped with 5G base stations to transmit video footage and improve communication during rescue missions.

- Collaboration between Jet Connectivity, the Scottish government, and other partners.

- Potential applications for natural disaster response and other emergency scenarios.

Nokia's Acquisition of Phoenix Group

- Will talks about Nokia's acquisition of Phoenix Group to strengthen its federal solutions business unit.

- Phoenix Group's expertise in portable communication solutions for the Department of Defense.

- Strategic importance of the acquisition for Nokia's federal and defense market presence.

- Benefits of acquiring established DoD suppliers to navigate federal procurement processes.

Microsoft Build and AI PCs

- Anshel shares insights from Microsoft Build, focusing on the new Copilot Plus AI PCs.

- Introduction of Snapdragon X Elite-based PCs with integrated AI capabilities.

- Dell's significant commitment to the new platform and the potential for 5G connectivity in future models.

- Discussion on the competitive landscape with Apple and the future of AI in PCs.

- Battery life improvements and performance upgrades with the new platform.

Nvidia's Earnings and AI Revolution

- Brief mention of Nvidia's impressive earnings and its role in leading the AI revolution.

- Impact of AI on the PC industry and the broader tech ecosystem.

- Nvidia's stock performance and the announcement of a ten-for-one stock split.

Conclusion

- Hosts encourage listeners to provide feedback and suggest topics for future episodes.

- Reminder to rate and subscribe to the podcast.

Contact Information

- Will Townsend: @WillTownTech

- Anshel Sag: @AnshelSag

Call to Action

- Tune in next week for more insights on 5G.

- Engage with the podcast by sharing and reviewing.

Introduction:

Welcome to episode 193 of the G Two on 5G podcast, where we provide the latest insights on everything 5G. In this episode, hosts Will Townsend and Anshel Sag discuss a range of topics from AT&T's new partnership to the impact of AI on 5G PCs. Let's dive in!

Timestamps:

00:00:02: Introduction and Welcome

Will Townsend and Anshel Sag kick off the episode, discussing their current travels and plans to record another episode at Dell Tech World.

00:00:49: AT&T and AST Space Mobile Agreement

Will Townsend discusses the formalization of the commercial agreement between AT&T and AST Space Mobile, highlighting the potential impact on gap coverage and the integration of production satellites.

00:03:43: Dish Network's DoD Deal

Anshel Sag delves into Dish Network's new ten-year deal with the Department of Defense, exploring its potential to save the company from bankruptcy and the implications for the 5G landscape.

00:07:36: T-Mobile's Private 5G Network for PGA Championship

Will Townsend talks about T-Mobile's deployment of a private 5G network for the PGA Championship, emphasizing its use in broadcasting, fan activations, and critical business operations.

00:11:15: Germany's Potential Ban on Chinese Equipment

Anshel Sag discusses Germany's move towards banning Huawei and ZTE equipment from public networks by 2026, examining the broader implications for the telecom industry.

00:15:37: China Mobile's Investment in AI Compute Infrastructure

Will Townsend highlights China Mobile's significant investment in AI compute infrastructure, questioning the lack of detailed plans for its utilization.

00:17:03: Microsoft Build and AI's Impact on 5G PCs

Anshel Sag previews the upcoming announcements at Microsoft Build, focusing on the potential for AI to drive the adoption of 5G PCs and the improvements in activation experiences.

00:22:30: Conclusion and Wrap-Up

We hope our viewers and listeners found this week's topics interesting. If anyone out there would like to provide insights for a specific 5G topic for a future podcast, please reach out to us on social media—Will is @WillTownTech and Anshel is @AnshelSag. We hope you have a great week, and please tune in again for the next episode later this week. Don't forget to rate and subscribe!

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Podcast Show Notes: Episode 192 of G2 on 5G

Welcome and Introduction

- Host Will Townsend introduces the episode and fellow analyst Anshel Sag.

- Discussion on the latest insights in the 5G realm, covering six topics in approximately 20 minutes.

AWS and Telefonica Germany's 5G Cloud Core Initiative

- AWS secures a significant win with Telefonica Germany moving over a million 5G subscribers to its cloud.

- This marks a pioneering brownfield network migration to a cloud core, setting a precedent in the industry.

Net Neutrality and Network Slicing

- Examination of the FCC's final order on net neutrality affecting network slicing.

- Potential implications for consumer and enterprise applications with a focus on how 5G standalone and network slicing might evolve.

Verizon's Approach to Neutral Host 5G Networks

- Discussion on Verizon's strategy in deploying neutral host 5G networks, particularly with Cummins.

- Insights into how neutral host networks can replace expensive DAS systems and improve performance in venues.

Apple's New iPad Launch

- Overview of Apple's launch of four new iPads and two versions of new silicon.

- Focus on the iPad Pro's features, including the new tandem OLED technology and the M4 chip.

- Discussion on the potential of these devices in the context of AI and competition with AI PCs.

Tesla's Private 5G Network Video

- Analysis of Tesla's recent video showcasing its private 5G network deployment in Giga Berlin.

- Consideration of whether this is a genuine step forward or a promotional move amidst various challenges faced by Tesla.

Potential Sale of US Cellular

- Rumors about US Cellular possibly selling itself to T-Mobile and Verizon.

- Discussion on the strategic implications for the carriers involved and the broader telecom industry.

Closing Remarks

- Anshel Sag wraps up the episode, inviting listeners to provide feedback and subscribe for future episodes.

- Reminder for listeners to engage via social media for any specific 5G topics they want covered in future podcasts.

Contact Information

- Listeners are encouraged to reach out via social media platforms linked in the podcast description.

This episode provides a comprehensive look into current developments in the 5G industry, from significant corporate strategies and regulatory changes to new technological advancements in consumer electronics.

In this 191st episode of The G2 on 5G, we cover:

1. Samsung and O2 Telefonica vRAN and ORAN deployment

2. Qualcomm posts stellar Q1 2024 Earnings, showing significant strength in China

3. AT&T Turbo launch promises to boost 5G data connectivity

4. The FCC fines the big three (plus Sprint) $200 million for violating customers’s privacy

5. Insights from MediaTek’s Analyst Day

6. Nokia is finally sending a 4G network to the moon with NASA, SpaceX and Intuitive Machines

In this 190th episode of The G2 on 5G, we cover:

1. T-Mobile invests in fiber services with ambitions to broaden its broadband services beyond 5G FWA

2. AT&T and T-Mobile Earnings - T-Mobile completes Mint Mobile Acquisition

3. Will the FCC’s reinstatement of net neutrality impact the monetization of 5G network slicing?

4. Intel Earnings - 5G affecting networking business?

5. Verizon supports the New Orleans Jazz Fest with additional 4G and 5G capacity (nfl draft?)

6. DISH wins in court against Crown Castle over 5G site dispute